Gas prices are rising again. Here’s how to save on gas and lower your car payment

Key takeaways

• Gas prices are up because global oil markets have reacted to supply risks tied to the Iran conflict, and concerns about the Strait of Hormuz have added more pressure.
• AAA lists the U.S. average for regular gas at $3.478 per gallon as of March 9, 2026.
• You may be able to spend less on gas by driving more smoothly, combining trips and comparing prices before you fill up.

Gas prices are climbing again after the conflict involving the U.S., Israel and Iran jolted oil markets and raised concerns about global supply. On March 9, AAA put the national average for regular gas at $3.478 per gallon, and AP reported Brent crude had spiked near $119.50 earlier in the day before easing, with shipping disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz fueling fears of a broader supply shock. AAA has already said the Middle East conflict helped push the national average up sharply in early March, and analysts quoted by Spectrum News said prices could rise another 10 to 25 cents per gallon over the next week or two.

Drivers can’t control global oil markets. But they can take steps to reduce how much those price swings affect their budget, from using less gas to lowering other car-related costs, including a monthly payment through auto refinance.

Why gas prices are going up

For most drivers, gas prices feel local. In reality, they are heavily shaped by global events.

Even though the U.S. is a major oil producer, domestic gas prices still react to disruptions in the broader oil market. That’s because crude oil is the biggest component in what drivers pay at the pump, and oil traders respond quickly to the possibility of disrupted supply. AP reported that oil prices surged Monday as the Iran war threatened production and shipping across the Middle East, while Spectrum News quoted GasBuddy analyst Patrick De Haan saying the Strait of Hormuz is acting like a choke point because it handles more than 20% of global crude flows.

There is also a timing issue. Retail gas prices do not move instantly with every oil-market headline, but they usually catch up. That is why drivers can keep seeing higher pump prices even after the initial news surge fades. AAA said on March 5 that the national average had jumped nearly 27 cents in a week, and as of March 9 the average had moved higher still to $3.478.

How to save money on gas right now

1. Drive more smoothly

Speeding, rapid acceleration and hard braking can burn more fuel than many drivers realize. Aggressive driving can reduce gas mileage by roughly 15% to 30% on the highway and 10% to 40% in stop-and-go traffic. In other words, one of the simplest ways to save money on gas is to make fewer sudden moves behind the wheel.

2. Combine trips when you can

Several short errands may use more fuel than one longer outing. A cold engine runs less efficiently, so grouping grocery runs, pharmacy stops and other errands into one trip can help you use less gas overall.

3. Check your tire pressure

This is one of the easiest maintenance tasks to overlook. It is also one of the easiest ways to waste gas. Properly inflated tires can improve gas mileage by 0.6% on average, and by as much as 3% in some cases. Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance, which forces the engine to work harder.

4. Compare gas prices before you fill up

When prices are rising quickly, the spread between one gas station and another can widen. Apps, warehouse-club stations, grocery rewards and station loyalty programs may help you trim the cost per gallon. The savings may seem small on one fill-up, but they add up faster when gas is already elevated.

Saving at the pump is helpful. Refinancing may help even more.

Gas-saving habits can trim your fuel bill. But they usually work in small increments.

Auto refinance can address a much bigger monthly cost: your car payment.

If you qualify for a lower interest rate than the one on your current loan, refinancing could reduce your monthly payment or lower the total interest you pay, depending on the new loan terms. Even if gas prices rise by 10 or 20 cents a gallon, the impact on your budget may still be smaller than what you spend each month on your loan. That is why reviewing your financing can make sense when fuel costs jump.

For example, a driver who spends an extra $20 to $40 a month on gas might get more relief from lowering a monthly payment by $75 or $100 through refinance than from fuel-saving tweaks alone. The point is not that refinance replaces gas savings. It is that both can work together.

When auto refinance may make sense

Refinancing may be worth a look if:

• your credit has improved since you took out the loan
• interest rates available to you are lower than your current rate
• you want to reduce your monthly payment to make room in your budget
• you have been making on-time payments and have built some equity in the vehicle

A simple way to frame it: saving on gas helps with this month’s fuel bill; refinancing may help with every month’s car bill.

Bottom line

Rising gas prices are frustrating because they are driven by forces most drivers cannot control. But you still have options.

Use less gas where you can. Shop smarter when you fill up. And if higher fuel prices are exposing bigger pressure in your monthly budget, look beyond the pump. Auto refinance will not lower gas prices, but it may lower one of your other biggest car costs, and that can matter just as much when driving gets more expensive.

FAQs: Gas prices are rising again

Why are gas prices going up right now?

Gas prices often rise when oil prices increase or when global events threaten supply. In this case, concerns about conflict in the Middle East and possible disruptions to oil shipments have pushed oil prices higher, which can eventually raise prices at the pump for U.S. drivers.

What can I do to save money on gas?

You may be able to lower your fuel costs by driving more smoothly, avoiding unnecessary idling, keeping your tires properly inflated and combining errands into fewer trips. You can also compare nearby gas stations or use rewards programs to cut the cost per gallon.

Can auto refinancing help if gas prices are rising?

Auto refinancing will not lower gas prices, but it could help lower another major car expense: your monthly payment. If you qualify for a lower rate or better loan terms, refinancing may free up room in your budget and help offset higher fuel costs.

Is refinancing worth it just because gas prices are higher?

Not always. Refinancing may make sense if it lowers your interest rate, reduces your monthly payment or helps you manage your budget more comfortably.